SEC Football: 5 teams on upset alert in Week 1

1. Georgia Bulldogs

vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers, Sept. 2, 6:15 p.m. ET

The start to the 2016 season started a bit funky for first-year head coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. Before they knew it, they were 0-2 in the SEC.

They ended up 4-4 in the conference by the end of things. Now, they’ll face an upstart Appalachian State Mountaineers team. Appalachian State went 10-3 (7-1 Sun Belt) last season behind a tough rushing defense. They allowed 125.9 rushing yards per game, eighth in the FBS, in 2016.

The Mountaineers will pose as a good challenge for the Bulldogs who return arguably the best duo of rushers in the SEC in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. The senior duo will need to have a big game here to offset injurires and suspensions elsewhere.

Running back Elijah Holyfield and wide receiver Riley Ridley are both suspended for the season opener. Cornerback Malkom Parrish is questionable with a foot injury.

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Quarterback Jacob Eason should be a lot more comfortable in his second year as starter. He didn’t do poorly in year one under head coach Kirby Smart. However, another 4-4 season in the SEC could change things.

Georgia hopes to get off to a faster start than last season. They defeated Nicholls State last season 25-24 in Week Two of 2016.